Abstract
“Embodied Water” envisions a future of eradicated apathy achieved through regular deep physical and emotional experiences with our natural resources. Taking cues from conservation psychology and sense theory, it philosophically and practically explores new design methodologies that challenge historical definitions and standards of user interaction. In the Anthropocene, a time characterized by the ways in which humans have changed nature’s systems, progress must occur not only scientifically, but culturally through new human mythologies and understandings. This shift calls for both material and ideological updates in how designers define “success” and “failure” in their products. Can the products we make look to the future by not only stimulating “care” but translating it to an embodied knowledge strong enough to spark sustained action? Through a mapped design process for embodied knowledge creation and heuristic analysis, “Embodied Water” lays out a path and then tests it in three case studies. The experimental didactic products created and analyzed examine water conservation from a variety of different communities ranging from the Mojave Desert to Greenland and New York City. All are meant to expose and engage while leaving an open-ended moment for decision making and opinion generation. The process looks at stand-alone products, curated experiences, and systems design. “Embodied Water” advocates for the future holistic health of our planet by helping to educate both users and designers socially and emotionally for the future. The goal is to not only spark conversation but also create a starting point for other designers to build from.
Presenters
Ari ElefterinFaculty, School of Constructed Environments, Parsons The New School for Design
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Sustainability, Human Systems, Culture, Health, Design Process, User Interaction, Values
